In memory of Jack Button whom I respected.
(Sing it to the tune of When I Was a Lad)
When I was a lad just skin and feet
I got me a job delivering meat.
Delivering meat wrapped up a treat
To all the little houses that are in your street.
(Yes, all the little houses that are in your street.)
Jacky B was the man for me,
The local butcher for our family.
‘Twas he wrapped up, addressed the meat
To all the little houses that are in your street.
(Yes, all the little houses that are in your street.)
When the job began to the butcher’s I ran.
Can you ride a bicycle? of course I can.
Well, there is the meat so if you like,
You can put it in the basket of your butcher’s bike.
(Yes, put it in the basket of your butcher’s bike.)
So, with bacon, beef, with liver and chop
I peddled my way from the butcher’s shop.
But treading on the pedals to shift the load
I skidded on the gravel of a slippery road.
(He skidded on the gravel of a slippery road.)
My bike it fell, it spun around.
I sat on my bottom with a thump profound.
And whilst not hurt I had torn my shirt
And the meat to be delivered it was in the dirt.
(And the meat to be delivered it was in the dirt.)
With a horrified shout I scrabbled about,
Picking up the meat which had fallen out.
But what distressed, and it still depresses,
Whilst putting back the meat I mixed up the addresses.
(The silly little boy, he mixed up the addresses.)
To the butcher’s eventually I went,
Having given up the meat from my bike which was bent.
It squealed, had a squeak, I could barely speak
And after such excitement I felt physically weak.
(After such excitement he felt physically weak.)
Well, Jacky B when he spoke to me
Was not a happy chappie I could clearly see.
For he gave the counter a mighty thump,
Then, ‘Mrs., Ormond said she got Tripe not ****.’
(‘Mrs., Ormond said she got Tripe not ****.’)
There followed a tale of woe so long
Of all the meat deliveries that I had wrong
And when he had finished, he said do not come
To work, and anyway I shall tell your Mum.
(and anyway, young Michael I shall tell your Mum)
So, sausages, liver, beef, or heart
If you want a proper job, you must play your part.
And unless you want to be like me
You should pedal your bike most carefully
(Make sure you always pedal most carefully)